The purpose of the Building Safety Division is to administer the building codes and the nuisance codes within the County and enforce quality development improvements and property maintenance standards within the community. The Building Safety Division provides consultation, permits, and inspections to builders, homeowners, and business owners to ensure compliance with applicable building codes. The Building Safety Division works in cooperation with County Fire, Police, Public Works, Planning and Public Utilities regarding the enforcement of the building and nuisance codes.

For all utility locates in Los Alamos County, dial 811 for New Mexico One Call or 1-800-321-ALERT(2537).
In accordance with the Los Alamos County Code, no building or structure regulated by this Code shall be erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, improved, removed, converted, or demolished unless a separate permit for each building or structure has been obtained first from the CDD Building Safety Division. Most building permit applications will require a recent survey of the lot or site showing the location of all the utilities. All building permit plans must meet the 2015 International Building Code and the Incorporated County of Los Alamos Code.

Until June 30, 2017, permit applications can be submitted under the 2009 New Mexico Building Codes.

Commercial Building Information

All commercial building permit applications will require a recent survey of the site and also require a Site Plan Application (see Planning) before a building permit can be submitted. Planning can be reached by calling (505) 662-8120.The site plan must include the location of all the utilities. To obtain free utility locates, call New Mexico One Call at (800) 321-ALERT(2537).

The State of New Mexico's Construction Industries Division(CID) permits electrical and plumbing/mechanical work in Los Alamos County. Those permits need to be obtained separate from the application to the County. New Mexico CID can be reached by phone at (505) 476-4700.

A building permit is required for all new structures, additions, and any other footprint changes.Three (3) sets of all building plans, site plans, and other documentation must be submitted with the commercial building permit.

Upon submittal of the building permit, a plan review fee or 65% of the estimated building permit fee must be paid. The plan review fee is in addition to the building permit fee. Fees are calculated based on the valuation of the project.

When the plan review is complete, we will call you. Most commercial building permits take five (5) business days for Building Safety Division to review, other departments may take longer.

Please don't start construction before obtaining obtaining your permit card and post your permit so that is visible from the street or you will incur double fees and risk delays by removing some of your work for inspection purposes.

List of all required inspections is provided below.

Residential Building Information

Two (2) sets of the building plans and the site plans must be provided for plan review.

You will be called when your permit is ready. Most residential permits take three (3) business days to process.

Please don't start construction before obtaining your permit or you will incur double fees and risk delays by having to remove some of your work for inspection purposes.

Effective immediately, To clarify section R314 of the New Mexico Residential Building Code, Wireless Smoke Alarms:

Policy: Physical interconnection of smoke alarms shall not be required where UL listed wireless alarms are installed and all alarms sound upon activation of one alarm. Only the main smoke alarm shall receive primary power from the building wiring. This will apply to additions and remodels in one and two family dwellings only. If wireless smoke alarms are used and there is attic access they can be used in place of interconnected hard wired. New home construction will have to be hardwired and interconnected.

Building Design Loads

This section has information on climactic and geographic design criteria which designers should meet in designing a building in Los Alamos County. The Climate Zone for The Energy Conservation Code for Los Alamos County is 5B.

Ground Snow Load

30 Lbs

Wind Speed (mph)

90

Seismic Design Category

C

Subject to Damage From

Weathering-Moderate

Frost Line Depth- 3' LA, 2' WR

Termite-Slight to Moderate

Winter Design Temp

10

Ice Barrier Underlayment Required

Yes

Flood Hazards

September 1987

Air Freezing Index

650

Mean Annual Temp

48.5

Public Works Design and Construction StandardsRevised September 2008

This standard presents criteria for use in the design and construction of municipal Public Works Infrastructure in the County of Los Alamos, New Mexico. Material presented is intended for the use of qualified design professionals familiar with municipal infrastructure. The County has adopted NMDOT Design Standards and Serials for the constructions of roads and bridges.

Criteria for building construction and design are provided in the Los Alamos County Code - Title 10. Criteria for fire protection and Life Safety are provided in the Los Alamos County Code - Title 22.

Clarifications of this document shall be made by the County Engineer of Los Alamos County. Any subject/situation not addressed in this document or other County Standards shall be revised and approved by the County Engineer.

Outdoor Lighting 16-276: All outdoor lighting fixtures shall be designed to comply with the performance standards relative to glare of the zoning district in which such area is located. The standards can also be found in the Los Alamos Municipal Code.

Inspections

Los Alamos County inspects construction on a regular basis. The inspector must have access to the work area for inspection. If the work area is in an occupied house, then the contractor/owner or their representative must be present. The building permit card must be displayed so that it is visible from the street and all permit paperwork that was issued with the permit must be on site and accessible by inspector to sign off, for all inspections.

Depending on the type of project, you may need one or more of the following inspections from the County. You may also need additional inspections specific to the project.

All work shall remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes until approved. It shall be the duty of the permit holder or their agent to notify the Building Safety Division when work is ready for an inspection call (505) 662-8120. Work shall not be done beyond the point of required inspection until the work is approved in writing by the Building Safety Division.

Permit Type

Inspection

(*Building Official may require additional inspections)

Residential/Commercial Curb Cuts

Initial

Final

Residential/Commercial Grading & Excavation

Final

Residential Fireplace

Framing (if applicable)

Foundation (if applicable)

Final

Residential Carports

Footing (if applicable)

Foundation (if applicable)

Framing (if applicable)

Final

Residential Interior Remodel

Footing (if applicable)

Under-slab (if applicable)

Framing (if applicable)

Insulation

Wallboard

Final

Residential/Commercial Fences over 6 feet in height and Walls over 36 inches in height

Pre-Final Building Inspection (optional, at the request of the applicant)

Final Building Inspection

Commercial New Structures and Additions

Footing

Foundation

Concrete Slab or Under-floor

Rough Electrical (CID inspection)

Rough Plumbing/Mechanical (CID inspection)

Frame/Structural/Nailing (for SIPS)

Sheathing

Bond Beam

Air Barrier

Firewalls/Fire Resistant Penetrations

Drop Ceilings/Seismic Tie Off

Lath/Flashing/Stucco/Weep Screed

Insulation

Drywall/Wallboard

Initial Curb Cut (Engineering inspection)

Final Curb Cut (Engineering inspection)

Final Drainage (Engineering inspection)

Final Electrical (CID inspection)

Final Plumbing/Mechanical (CID inspection)

Pre-Final Inspection (optional, at the request of the applicant)

Final Planning

Final Fire

Final Engineering

Final Utilities

Final Building Inspection

The State of New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID) completes all electrical and plumbing/mechanical inspections. A separate permit will be required. The telephone number for their nearest office is (505) 476-4700.

For County of Los Alamos inspections, an inspection request must be called in by 5:00 p.m. to (505) 662-8120 the day before the planned inspection.

Contractors may request a two-hour time frame for a scheduled inspection via email to: BuildingInspectionRequests@lacnm.us before 8:00 a.m. on the day of the scheduled inspection. No two-hour time frame requests may be made by telephone. If a request for a two-hour time frame is received before 8:00 a. m.on the day of the inspection, an inspector will contact you with the two-hour timeframe which the Building Official has assigned​ for that inspection.

All construction must obtain final for that inspection inspections for a Certificate of Completion or a Certificate of Occupancy. The final inspection should not be called in until the final State of New Mexico electrical and mechanical inspections have been completed. Allow a minimum of one week for all commercial final inspections.